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Topic: juniper problem (Read 3373 times)

I was looking at my tree today and noticed that the lower right branch feels dry ,almost brittle,and the color seems dull compared to the others. All the others are just fine. Any idea why this happens? Thanks, Joe

Hi Joe, it looks like wire might be girdling that branch. That means there is wire going in a circle around the branch, cutting off the flow of nutrients. As well, sometimes branches on junipers just die, it looks like the rest of the tree is healthy, so I wouldn't worry too much about it. I would also let that tree grow out a bunch, let it get nice and healthy and bushy, then cut it back. I hope that helps some.

i have also had this happen where the branch dies and the death spreads from the branch (don't know why) i would clip it off as soon as you can safely and then let everything alone for the tree to grow out and reach optimum health.

I wonder about the mystical "life line" on that side of the tree being disturbed. The branch below it jinned and stopping sap flow maybe?. I say mystical because I don't really understand about them. I've read about them and just don't quite understand how sometimes a bunch of work is done on a juniper, all kinds of jins and shari, and yet it bounces back like a champ with all kinds of new growth. Then there's other times you can loose branches up and down one side of the tree like it's not getting any sap flow at all.I'm not sure I go with branch girdling unless the wire is really tight. I thought a plant needs to grow into the wire to girdle it and I dont' think this has been styled long enough for that.Mary B.

Thanks Alex, Chris and Mary. I did take off the wire. There wasnt any biting at all. The Mystical " life line" might be it. I read somewhere that if you jin under the branch that it can die off. I have to find that article again.Of course I read this way after the jin was done. Dont remember if it was a book or one of the forums. Well, cutting it off is an option. Hate to lose that branch. Well we'll see what happens. Thanks, Joe

Joe,Think of the lifelines as water pipes. If you start messing with them below the point that you need the water, you need to do so carefully- especially on Junipers and Satsukis. Good time to learn, early in you career. John

Sorry to say it, but,,,,,,,,,, looks like I may have to take the branch off. It looks worse than it did.There are 2 smaller branches there that could stay but I am not sure they would really do much for the future. Yes Mary,,,,,,,," rethink and restyle"!!Will keeps yous posted! Thanks, Joe